Roxanna's POV

Evelyn pulled me into the mansion, but I kept resisting, trying my best to get her hands off me. I didn't want to get married. Definitely not this way.

I would rather sell my body somewhere and make the money from a rich old man than get tied to a disabled stranger.

My pleas went on deaf ears as Evelyn kept pulling to my bedroom upstairs.

“Let go of me!” I yelled for the untenth time, but she ignored me and pulled harder.

“You’d better keep your mouth shut and come with me!” She yelled back, but I refused to be pulled like some animal. With the last remaining energy left in me, I bit her arm; the very one that kept pulling me continuously.

“Ahhh!! You animal!” Evelyn shrieked and released her hold on me. I saw that as a good opportunity to make a run for the exit.

“Stop her! Catch her and don't let her escape!” I heard Evelyn's voice from behind and I ran even faster.

Once I got outside the mansion, I ran directly to the roadside to flag down a taxi. Thankfully, I found a taxi and hurriedly got in.

The guards went after me stopped the moment the taxi drove away from the Renwick 's estate.

The tears I held back for so long began to fall uncontrollably as I sniffed, trying hard to dry up the tears.

I caught the driver staring at me through the rearview and I hurriedly composed myself.

“Where to, miss?” He asked after he saw I had wiped my tears.

“To any bar around.” The words came out of my mouth even before I could realize it.

The driver glanced at me once more, “Are you sure about that miss?” He asked and I shot him a glare.

“And what do you mean by that?” I asked him in return, he kept quiet and faced the road immediately.

Soon, he pulled up before a bar and turned to me.

“We're here, ma'am.” I looked out the window to see that we indeed had arrived at a bar.

I got down from the taxi and paid him for the ride, then turned to face the bar which I had bravely asked the driver to take me to.

I didn't know why, but for some unknown reason, I had this feeling and urge to go get a drink and unwind. I just wanted to have peace for a day without having to think of any of my present problems.

And Finn was still hospitalized, I still had to think of how to gather the money for his surgery.

I dragged in a haggard breath before making my way into the bar. This was my first time being here, but I ignored the looks everyone threw at me and made my way to the counter. Once I made myself comfortable on the counter, the bartender came up to me.

“Hi Miss, what would you like?” He asked, flashing me a smile as I blinked.

What would I like? I never even visited any bar in my life, but I needed the relief and I wouldn't hesitate to let loose tonight. Who knows, I might never have the freedom ever again.

“Give me the strongest drink you have here.” I said, and I saw the amused look that flashed in the eyes of the bartender.

He walked off and returned with a drink.

“Here's the strongest drink for ladies,” he said as he handed me the glass. Without thinking, I chucked the content into the back of my throat.

Being alcohol, I never knew the effect would be that grave for a newbie to chuck it down.

I winced at the burning sensation that assaulted my throat the next minute.

“Don't down it that way, you look like a newbie.” The bartender chuckled.

I extended the glass to him, even though I was close to passing out from the momentary loss of air from my lungs.

The bartender gave me a once over look before adhering to giving me another shot.

I did a count down in my head and went ahead to repeat my previous act, not minding the words of the bartender.

I downed the drink in one go and winced again, holding my neck dramatically as I gasped for air.

Just when I felt the effect of the drink kicking in with the dizziness and sudden lightness I felt, I realized that someone had been staring at me for quite a while.

I whipped my head to the side, only to be met with a piercing silver eyes staring back at me.

His eyes were so clear and cold, pulling me in and at the same time warning me off. I found this particular stranger very handsome and attractive, or maybe it was the drink's effect.

“Hey pretty boy.” I called out and leaned into his direction, a smile made its way to my lips as I watched the surprised look that flashed in his eyes.

“What?...why are you staring at me as if I grew an extra head, huh?” I asked again, hiccuping also. The pretty boy must be disgusted with me already.

“Seriously….. is something on my face or did you also fall in love at first sight with me?” I asked and pouted at the last part. The same lie Devian told me.

He still didn't say a word, but I still went ahead to ask again, “Or do you want to sleep with me?”

I heard a gasp from the side and I turned to see the bartender's eyes flashing with fear. I raised a brow at him, “What?.... Did…did I really grow an extra head?” I asked him as fear consumed me. I felt my head, trying to feel the second head, but there was nothing.

I released a sigh of relief and turned to the handsome stranger again.

“I'm a virgin!” I suddenly announced and I saw him raise a questioning brow.

“Miss…” the bartender began, but the stranger silenced him with just one look.

I ignored the bartender also and boldly whispered to the stranger, “I'm willing to sell my virginity to you…..only if you give me the amount of money I'll ask for.” I said and hiccuped again.

“And how much are you willing to sell it for?” He finally said something, his deep voice making my toes curl.

“$10,000” I blurted out, that was exactly Finn's hospital bill amount.

“Just that?” He asked as he took a sip of his drink. His movements were graceful and elegant.

“Yes, I don't want much.” I replied and he nodded.

“As long as there wouldn't be any strings attached, I'm willing to comply.”

“Yes, Yes…..no strings_” I hiccuped, “No strings attached.”

***

I arrived at the hospital the next day, still feeling disgusted with myself and happy at the same time, I got the most shocking news of my life.

Finn had been taken away by my father and stepmother. He was transferred to another hospital that no one knew about. My entire world crumbled as tears stung my eyes.

Why was passing through all these? Why did my family have to treat me even more than a stranger?

They were heartless and mercilessly, not caring about anything except their selfish gains; The Renwick 's Firm.

I already had the money, but it seemed useless at this point since I couldn't even use it to save my brother.

I felt used and embarrassed, remembering what I had to do for the money.

Just then, I got a call from Evelyn and when I connected the call, she said, “If you still want to see Finn, then come back home and get married to Ciel Sébastien .”

Roxanne's POV

After I returned to the Renwick 's Manor, I was brought into the bedroom and dressed up in a white wedding dress. Everyone was rude, including the makeup artist herself. She asked me to make sure I never let a tear slip from my eyes or she would deal with me.

I was trying so hard not to tear up, especially after the disgusting thing I had to do for money. I felt like a slut, a whore that my father had called my mother.

Even though my mother wasn't a whore, I still got irked each time my father called her that. It even made me believe sometimes that my mother could really be a whore.

Now I had to do this to actually confirm that even if my mother wasn't a whore, I myself turned out to be a whore.

Just then the room door was pushed open and Derek walked in.

He gestured for the makeup artists and everyone else in the room to excuse us.

Once everyone had left, I dropped the facade and turned to glare at him.

“Where is Finn?!” I asked as my entire body shook, anger and pain filling me again at the thought of my brother being kept away from me.

“Preparing for his surgery.” Derek replied with a smile.

“All you have to do is obey and do as we requested, then Finn will be saved.” He said and chuckled.

I gritted my teeth at the man before me, one I once saw as a father, but not anymore.

“You all better keep to your promises because if anything happens to Finn, I would never let any of you go.” I warned with barely concealed rage.

Derek laughed again as he watched me, “And do you think you're in any position to dish out warnings?” He asked me, but I said nothing and just kept a poker face.

“I trust that you're wise enough to know what to do. The wedding arrangements have been made and the groom has arrived.” After he spat out those words, Derek turned around and walked out of the room.

I sniffed In an instant, trying hard not to cry.

‘Don’t cry, Don't Cry!’ I kept telling myself as the door was suddenly pushed open again. This time, it was Devian who walked in.

He had his hands in his pocket as he walked up to me.

“You look beautiful as a bride.” He commented, but I didn't even look up at him.

“I'm sorry, Roxanne .” He added.

I looked up at him this time as I gave him a disdainful look. I was in this mess because of him.

Who knew that he had gone and gotten Reina pregnant?

I even had to sell my virginity to pay Finn’s bills. Now Finn was taken away and the money turned out to be useless to me and now, he had the audacity to show up before me and tender useless apologies?

“I don't need your apology.” I remarked, averting my gaze from him again.

“I still love you Roxanne . Just tell me that you love me back and I'll end this wedding.” He shamelessly said to me and I glared at him.

When I wanted him to say these words, he turned me down and shattered the remaining pieces of my heart. Calling me fat and ugly.

“After you got Reina pregnant?” I asked him with a frown.

“I can always keep you both.”

I felt my skin crawl at those words. Keep us both? As in marry the both of us?

“You're very shameless!” I fired in anger and reached out to hit him across the face, but he gripped my hand instantly.

“I let you hit me once, but I would never let it happen again!” He yelled and tightened his hold on my hand.

I winced as the pains assaulted me.

I tried so hard to get his hands off me, but he didn't let go.

“Devian,...” I called out again as I felt tears stung my eyes.

“Devian..” I called out again and again, but to no avail.

Just when I thought I would get my arm broken by him, the door to the room was pushed open.

“Let her go.”

I turned to the sound of the voice and the very person I saw made me freeze in place.

Even though I was drunk yesterday night, I could still make out the face before me. The very piercing silver eyes I could never forget anytime soon.

Those clear eyes were currently glaring at Devian who still held my hand.

The coldness of the man’s voice made Devian subconsciously release his hold on me.

I jerked my hand away and moved back from Devian.

“Who the hell are you?” Devian asked Mr Silver eyes.

He simply cleared his throat and two bulky guards walked in immediately.

“Tell him who I am since he dared to touch my bride.” Mr silver eyes said and it took me a while to process his words.

Bride? What bride was he talking about?

Wait! Was he…..was he the famous Ciel Sébastien ?

The handicap?

But the man before me was definitely not a handicap.

“Ahh!” Devian's scream of horror brought me out of my train of thoughts as I watched the two guards twist his both hands behind his back.

The action must have hurt a lot because cold sweat broke out on Devian's forehead.

“You… you're.. Arghhh!” Devian began to say, but the guards twisted his hands even more as he tried to say something to the supposed Ciel .

I turned to look at Ciel Sébastien who had a smirk on his face just staring at Devian's suffering.

The sweat had already soaked Devian’s shirt as he whimpered.

Derek walked in just then to this scene and he rushed in to stop the guards.

“Hey! Let go of him, who the hell are you people?!” He yelled at the guards, but they didn't listen to him.

He then turned to yell at me, “Who do you think would ever want you? You're a fat, ugly bitch!”

It took me everything I had not to roll my eyes in disgust while checking my neck. He was the one who tried to assault me just now and he was pouring out his anger on me because he got caught?

“If you put your hands on her one more time, you will lose them.”

Derek then turned to look at Ciel who stood there probably enjoying the sight before him.

“Who are you and how dare you harass my son in-law in my house?!” He yelled and Ciel turned his attention to him as a frown settled on his overly handsome face.

“Your son in-law? I thought I was your son in-law?” My eyes widened in shock as he said those words to Derek.

Derek froze at once at those words from Ciel .

He must be wondering why those words came out of that man's mouth.

I wasn't sure if really this man was Ciel , but I also wished to know the truth about his identity.

And in no time, It was confirmed, this man before us was none The Ciel Sébastien that I was supposed to get married to today, and he was definitely not a handicap.

“P–pretty boy?!”